ROCK ISLAND -- The Augustana Vikings football team was defeated at home on Saturday, falling to the No. 1 ranked North Central Cardinals by a score of 49-10.

After the Vikings forced a North Central punt on the opening possession of the game, the team gave the visitors the ball right back after fumbling inside its own 5-yard line. The Cardinals capitalized on the fortunate field possession with a touchdown on the next play to notch the contest's first touchdown.

Augustana quickly got on the board on the ensuing drive to even the score at 7-7. Following a penalty by North Central that extended the possession, Liam Crawley connected with Sean Schlanser deep down the field for a 55-yard touchdown pitch and catch. Each team's defense continued to find success in the opening frame, finding stops on the next two appearances on the field, but the Cardinals went ahead with a touchdown on the final full drive of the quarter to bring a 14-7 lead into the second.

North Central saw a big second quarter for the second straight week, this time posting 28 points on the way to a 42-7 halftime lead. The Vikings saw three drives end deep in the Cardinals' territory the rest of the way before Joren Clem's 35-yard field goal late in the fourth closed the gap. North Central added its lone second half score in the third quarter to complete the 49-10 victory.

Augie finished with 120 yards on the ground, led by Mike DiGioia's 66 yards and Ben Ludlum's 60. Breyden Smith caught seven passes for 52 yards, while Peter Stapleton had four tackles and 0.5 for loss.

With the loss, Augie drops to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the CCIW. The team will be back in action next Saturday at Illinois Wesleyan.